Background Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is an emerging pathogen of NGU. In China, limited studies have indicated a prevalence of 10%–24% among men with NGU. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of urethra MG infection among male patients attending STD clinic in Guangxi, China.

Methods Male patients attending STD clinic in He Zhou, Guangxi province between July and September 2009, were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study of the prevalence and behavioural risk for MG infection. MG testing was performed in the National Center for STD control of China, using a previously published real time PCR that target the MgPa adhesion gene. Data were double entered into a database using EpiData software by two research assistants. SPSS for windows 13 was used for statistical analysis.

Results 423 male STD clinic patients agreed to participate in this research. 114 (28.1%) of urine specimens were MG positive by PCR testing. In the univariate logistic regression analyses, several individual factors were significantly associated with MG infection. Males infected with MG were more likely to be younger, be single, divorced or widowed, of migrant population, and to be living alone or with partners rather than spouses.

Conclusion This is the first study to investigate the prevalence rate and risk factors ofMG infection among male patients attending STD clinic in southwest China. The high prevalence rate suggests that that increased attention should be paid to MG screening and treatment in this high risk population.